The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Levine, Ellen

Henry's Freedom Box

40 pp. | Scholastic | January, 2007 | Trade ISBN 978-0-439-77733-9 $16.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Levine recounts the history of slave Henry "Box" Brown, who is mailed in a wooden box to Philadelphia and freedom. The powerful tale is told through direct, simple language, and a note explains the story's historical basis. The pencil, watercolor, and oil paint illustrations resonate with beauty and sorrow. There is no sugarcoating; however, the conclusion is moving and satisfying.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007